You Take the High Road

Governor Says Flyovers and Suspended Highways the Only Solution to Congested Traffic Near Bali's Airport.

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(12/28/2009)

Governor Made Mangku Pastika wants to help solve the growing problem of traffic congestion surrounding Bali's airport and has called for suspended highwayd to be erected between the airport, Nusa Dua and Simpang Siur as the only way to reduce the current traffic congestion.

Those traveling from Nusa Dua in Bali's south are increasingly likely to encounter delays at the three-way intersection near Udayana University, the three-way intersection at Ngurah Rai airport, and at the Dewa Ruci monument (Simpang Siur).

Quoted in Radar Bali, Governor Pastika has warned that if action is not taken quickly the traffic situation will only become worse. The national Department of Public Works is trying to assist Bali with its traffic problems by designing a system of suspended roadways in the areas leading to and from Bali's airport. The Governor sees fixing the traffic mess as essential to preserving and improving what is, in fact, visitors' first and last impression of the island.

The governor explained to the press that while many people complain of the traffic lights on the roads leading to the airport, the traffic jams would only be made worse by removing those lights. Pastika also said that any widening of the current roads is impossible, leaving fly-overs as the only remaining alternative as underground tunnels would prove too expensive.

The Governor called on all elements of Bali society to consider and study the traffic problem in order to come to an agreement that will satisfy both religious and cultural elements of local society. Said Pastika: "I hope that Bali's leaders will undertake a joint study. I don't care how complicated this becomes. Come on, let's look at the problem together. I don't want to violate any of our community's norms. I am a Balinese and (morally) required to preserve Balinese concepts, but the right concepts."

Similar solutions proposed in the past have run afoul of religious and cultural leaders who maintained that raised highways, pedestrian bridges or underground tunnels violate Balinese religious norms.